OKRA

How To Grow Okra

Type: Annual
Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Light: Full sun
Soil Type: Loose, well tilled
Soil Temperature: 60°+
ph Range: 6.0 – 7.0
Watering: Average
Plant (Payson): May 15 – July 15
Planting Method: Seed or transplant
Germination: 12 –  14 days
Transplanting: When soil and air temperatures are warm
Maturity (days): 58
Common Pests: Aphid, stink bugs, flea beetles, corn earworms, cabbage loopers
Common Diseases: Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt

OVERVIEW
Okra is a vegetable you either love or hate. The pods contain large seeds and slimy “juice” that some find unpalatable. Traditionally it has been used in gumbo (to thicken), fried with corn meal, deep fried or prepared as pickles. Okra requires warmth to produce well.
SOIL PREPARATION
Okra prefers loose, well worked soil that is at least 60F. It is a heavy feeder of phosphorus, so it’s wise to add bone meal and Epsom salts into the soil. Epsom salts help the plant absorb the phosphorus. Okra needs high temperatures to produce well, at least 70-80°F.
PLANTING
Transplanting
Okra can be transplanted, but this doesn’t make harvest time arrive faster. Place a bit of bone meal into each hole and plant to just below the lowest leaves. Firm soil around the plant stem.

Seed

Okra seeds are very hard. Soak the seed overnight in milk or water, or score them with a nail file before planting. Sow seeds ½-1 inch deep and water generously. Thin later to 18 inches apart. Remember to add bone meal and Epsom salts to the planting area.

CARE & GROWING

MULCHING

Black plastic can be used to increase soil temperature and will help deter weeds.

WATERING
Water regularly so the soil remains consistently moist.

FERTILIZING

When planting transplants or seeds, add some of Glen’s Magic Plant Food plus extra bone meal and Epsom salts to each hole. Every 4 weeks give a heavy feeding of alfalfa tea or a side dressing of Glen’s Magic.

WEEDING

The black plastic mulch should keep weeds down.

DISEASE
Powdery mildew, fusarium wilt

BUGS

Aphid, stink bugs, flea beetles, corn earworms, cabbage loopers, root knot nematodes.

HARVESTING

Edible pods appear 50-60 days after planting. The pods grow fast and can become woody, so check daily and harvest while the pods are still tender. Here large is definitely not better. Pick fruit often to encourage plants to keep producing.

PRESERVING/STORING

Okra has a limited lifespan in the refrigerator so eat it quickly.   It can also be pickled, fermented, canned, frozen or even dried.

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